Photographic-printing apparatus.



No. 7||,857. Patentad Oct. 2|, I902.

A. F. HEWITT.

PHOTOGRAPH: PRINTING APPARATUS.

(Application fllod Pub. 86, 1901.) (No Model.)

2 Shoots-Sheet I.

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No. 7l|,857. Patented Oct. 2|. I902. A. F. HEWITT.

PHOTOGRAPH; PRINTING APPARATUS.

(A umion filed Feb. 25, 1901.)

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR F. IIPHVITT, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ARISTOCOMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NE\V YORK.

PHOTOGRAPHlC-PRINTING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 71 1,857, dated October21, 1902.

Application filed February 25, 1901. Serial No. 48,665. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ARTHUR F. HEWITT, a citizen of the United States,residing at St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Photographic-Printing Apparatus, fully describedand represented in the following specification and the accompanyingdrawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to improvements in photographic-printingapparatus.

The present invention relates to a photographic-printing apparatuscomprisingasuitable support upon which are mounted an electric-lightfixture or fixtures and conductors therefor adapted for connection tothe electric-light fixtures of a room and a printingframe which ishinged to the said support, so as to be swung upwardly and downwardlyinto and out of printing position, respectively, and when so moved toclose and open, respectively, the circuit of the electric-light fixtureor fixtures, so that when the printingframe is in its upward or printingposition the light is turned on and when it is moved from that positiondownwardly to non-printing position the light is turned off.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of aphotographic-printing apparatus embodying the several features of thepresent invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is asection on the line 3 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 4 is an end view lookingtoward the left of Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

Referring to said drawings, 1 represents the printing-frame, and 2 asupporting-frame for the electric-light fixture or fixtures, these twoframes being mounted upon a support consisting of a table 3, mountedupon legs 4, which, as shown in Fig. 4, are adapted to be screwed intoand out of the base 3 for convenience in packing and shipping theseveral parts of the apparatus. The light-supporting frame 2 consists ofa base 5, for attachment to the support 3, and a rear wall 6, bearingthe illuminating devices, which consist of a pair of incandescentelectric lamps 8, having flexible electric conductors 9 10, providedwith a plug 11 for connecting said conductors and lamps with theelectric-light fixtures of a room.

The printing-frame 1 (which will be hereinafter more fullydescribed) ismounted upon a carrier 12, connected to the support 3 by a bolt 13,passing through a longitudinal slot 14 in said support and provided atits lower end with a thumb-nut 15, whereby said carrier, and with it theprinting-frame, may be adjusted longitudinally of the support 3 and toand from the lamps 8 and locked in its position of adjustment andwhereby also said carrier and its frame 1 may be disconnected from thesupport 3 for packing and shipment. The light-supporting frame 2 issimilarly connected to the opposite end of support 3 by means of a bolt16, slot 17, and thumb-nut 18, so that said light-supporting frame mayalso be adjusted longitudinally of the base 3, if desired, and locked inits position of adjustment and may also be disconnected therefrom whendesired for the purpose of packing and shipment.

The purpose of mounting the printing frame 1 and lightesupporting frame2 upon the support 3 in the manner described is primarily to enable thetwo frames to be adjusted different distances from each other, and thusto vary the distance between the light on the frame 2 and the negativeon frame 1, so as to suit negatives of dilferent densities. To securethis result, however, it is not necessary that both the printing-frame 1and light-supporting frame 2 should be adjustable, as the same resultcould be obtained by having one frame fixed; but it is preferable to somount both frames, as it enables them to be disconnected from thesupport 3 for packing and shipment, as before stated.

The printing-frame 1 is hinged, as shown, to its carrier 12, so as toswing thereon vertically into and out of printing position relatively tothe lamps S, as shown by full and dotted lines in Fig. 1, the full linesof that figure showing the printing-frame in its vertical or printingposition, while the dotted lines show it in its horizontal ornon-printing position and the position it will occupy while a negativeor sheet of photographic-printing paper is being placed in position inthe printing-frame.

The pintles 19 of the hinges, by which the printing-frame 1 is connectedto the carrier 12, are preferably removable, as shown, so that theprinting-frame may be removed from the carrier and replaced by anotherof the same or ofa different size or a frame for containing a negativeand sheets of different size.

The closing of the circuit through the conductors 9 10, and consequentlighting of the lamps 8, is controlled by the printing-frame 1 in suchmanner that when the latter isiu its horizontal or non-printing positionsaid circuit is opened and the light turned off'and when it is in itsvertical or printing position said circuit is closed and the lightturned on. The connections for so controlling the light by the movementof the printing-frame will now be described.

The conductor 10 is, as shown in Fig. 1, connected to a stationarycontact or brush 20, secured tothe rear end of the carrier 12, while theconductor 9 is connected to a movable contact-plate 21, secured to thelower edge of the priuting-fram el, this movable contactplate 21 when inengagement with the brush'2O (as is the case when the frame 1 is in itsvertical position) closing the circuit through the conductors 9 10 andwhen disengaged therefrom (such disengagement taking place when theframe is swung from vertical position) openiugsaid circuit. From thisconstruction it results that when the printing-frame 1 is moved to itsvertical or printing position, as shown by full lines in Fig. 1, thecontact 21 engages the brush 20 and closes the circuit through theconductors 9 10, thus turning on the light, the circuit remaining thusclosed so long as the printing-frame 1 is permitted by the operator toremain in its vertical position. As soon, however, as the printing of asheet of paper is effected the operator will swing the printing-frame 1downwardly into its horizontal position, as shown by dotted lines inFig. 1, and as soon as this movement of the fraine 1 is begun thecontact 21 is moved out of engagement with the brush 20 and the circuitthrough conductors 9 10 and lamps 8 is consequently broken and the lightturned 0K.

The mounting of the printing-frame in the manner described and thecontrolling of the lightthat is, turning it on and 0E by the movement ofthe printing-frame into and out of printing position-are featuresofconsiderable importance for several reasons, among which are thefollowing: They reduce the work of printing to the minimum, as thepartsrequire but very little manipulation by the operator, his work beingconfined to raising and lowering the printing-frame into and out ofprinting position and the removal and introduction of sheets to beprinted from, which is done while the frame lIlS face down in horizontalposition.

Again, the exposure. of a negative to the light may be regulated curedon each sheet printed upon, as where such shutters or aprons areemployed there is necessarily an absence of absolute uniformity inprinting, some portions of the negative as the shutter or apron is movedup and down being exposed longer to the action of the light than otherportions of the negative. In addition to this adjustment longitudinallyof the support 3 the printing-frame 1 and light-supporting frame 2 areby reason of the connections between them and the support 3, alreadydescribed, also adapted to swing horizontally, so as to be angularly adjusted relatively to each other for the purpose of bringing denserportions of a negative,considered widthwise of the printing-frame, intocloser proximity to the light upon the lightsupporting frame than otherportions of said negative.

The printing frame 1 consists of two members 22 23, the former beingprovided with an opening 24, through which the negative 91 is exposed tothe light, and the latter with an opening 25 for the reception of thesheet 8 of photographic-printing paper, upon which a print from thenegative is to be taken. The two members 22 23 of the frame have theiradjacent faces lined with felt or other suitable material, and one ofsaid members is provided with pegs 26, adapted to enter correspondingopenings in the other member, whereby accurate register is secured andmaintained between said two members when which areadapted to engage andinterlock.

with catches 28, secured to the other member, it being understood thatwhen the springs 27 interlock with said catches 28 they are underpressure, so as to yieldingly hold the two members 22 23 of the frametogether to prevent displacement of the negative between them.

The'paper-receiving opening 25 in the member 23 of the printing-frame,which is of smaller size than the opening 24 in the member 22, is ofsubstantially the same dimensions as the sheets of paper upon whichprints are to be taken from the negative between the two members.

The opening 25 in the member 23 is provided with a door 29, hingedtosaid member at its lower end and provided with a spring 30, which inthe closed position of said door is adapted to engage with aspring-catch 31 upon the upper edge of said member and when so engagedto hold said door yieldingly in engagement with the sheet of paperwithin the opening during the printing operation. The door 29 is alsoprovided with a torsional spring 32 for throwing it open when the spring30 and spring-catch 31 are disengaged, the spring 32 also serving as thepintle for the hinges 33, connecting the door to the member 23.

The manner of using the apparatus described is as follows: In printingthe negative n is first introduced between the two members 22 23 of theprinting-frame, the two members being then secured together by ongagingthe springs 27 with catches 28. The thumb-nut 15 being loosened, thecarrier 12 and frame 1 are adjusted horizontally of support 3, so as toset the negative at the proper distance from the lamps 8, according tothe density of the negative. If one portion of the negative, consideredwidthwise of the frame 1,is denser than other portions, the carrier 12and frame 1 are then swung horizontally upon support 3, so as to bringsuch denser portions of the negative into closer proximity to the lightthan other portions thereof. The frame 1 being thus properly adjusted,it will then be secured in position by tightening up the thumb-nut 15,and the apparatus is then ready for the printing operation. The frame 1beingin the horizontal position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1, theoperator will open the door 29, insert a sheet of printing-paper, (whichneed not be'centered by him, as it fills the opening 25,) and thencloses and secures the door 29 by engaging spring 30 with catch 31. Theframe 1 is then swung upwardly by the operator to vertical position, thecontact-plate 21 then engaging brush 20 and closing the circuit throughconductors 9 10 and lamps 8. The frame 1 remains in this position untilthe time for exposure (determin ed by the operator) has expired,when itis swung downwardly by the operator to horizontal posit-ion. The spring30 is then disengaged by the operator from catch 31, when spring 32 willthrow the door 29 open, so that the operator may remove the sheetprinted upon and insert another. As soon as the movement of the frame 1from vertical position is begun the contact-plate 21 will be disengagedfrom brush 20, thus breaking the circuit through conductors 9 10 andlamps 8 and putting out the light, the circuit remaining in thiscondition until the frame 1 is again moved to vertical position.

What I claim is- 1. In a photographic-printing apparatus, thecombination of asuitable support, a printing-frame adapted to movethereon into and out of printing position, a light-fixture, andconnections controlling the light therefrom and in turn controlled bythe movement of the printing-frame, substantially as described.

2. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitablesupport, a printing-frame adapted to swing thereon into and out ofprinting position, a lightfixture, and connections controlling the lighttherefrom and in turn controlled by the movement of the printing-frame,substantially as described.

3. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitablesupport, a printing-frame adapted to swing vertically thereon into andout of printing position, a light-fixture, and connections controllingthe light therefrom and in turn controlled by the movement of theprinting-frame, substantially as described.

4. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitablesupport, a printing-frame adapted to move thereon into and out ofprinting position, and an electric-light circuit controlled by themovement of the printing-frame, substantially as described.

5. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of asuitablesupport, a printing-frame adapted to swing thereon into and out ofprinting position, and an electric-light circuit controlled by themovement of the printing-frame, substantially as described.

6. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitablesupport, a printing-frame adapted to swing vertically thereon into andout of printing position, and an electric-light circuit controlled bythe movement of the printing-frame, substantially as described.

7. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitablesupport, a lightsupporting frame provided with a suitable light-fixture,a printing-frame carrier, said supporting-frame and carrier beingrelatively adjustable to and from each other along the support, aprinting-frame adapted to move on said carrier into and out of printingposition, and connections controlling the light from said light-fixtu reand in turn controlled by the movement of the printing-frame,substantially as described.

8. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of asuitablesupport, a lightsupporting frame provided with a suitable light-fixture,a printing-frame carrier, said supporting-frame and carrier beingrelatively adjustable to and from each other along the support, aprinting-frame adapted to swing on said carrier into and out of printingposition, and connections controlling the light from said light-fixtureand in turn controlled by the movement of the printing-frame,substantially as described.

9. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitablesupport, a lightsupporting frame provided with a suitable light-fixture,a printing-frame carrier, said supporting-frame and carrier beingrelatively adjustable to and from each other along the support, aprinting-frame adapted to swing vertically on said carrier into and outof printing position, and connections controlling the light from saidlight-fixture and in turn controlled by the movement of theprintingframe, substantially as described.

10. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitablesupport, a lightsupporting frame provided with a suitable light-fixture,a printing-frame carrier, said supporting-frame and carrier beingrelatively adjustable along the support to and from and also angularlywith relation to each other, a printing-frame adapted to move on saidcarrier into and out of printing position, and connections controllingthe light from said fixture and in turn controlled by the movement ofthe printing-frame, substantially as described.

11. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitablesupport,a lightsupporting frame provided with a suitable light-fixture,a printing-frame carrier, said supporting-frame and carrier beingrelatively adjustable along the support to and from and also angularlywith relation to each other, a printing-frame adapted to swing on saidcarrier into and out of printing position, and connections controllingthe light from said fixture and in turn controlled by the movement ofthe printing-frame, substantially as described. I

12. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitablesupport,a lightsupporting frame provided with a suitable light-fixture,a printing-frame carrier, said supporting-frame and carrier beingrelatively adjustable along the support to and from and also angularlywith relation to each other, a printing-frame adapted to swingvertically on said carrier into and out of printing position, andconnections controlling the light from said fixture and in turncontrolled by the movement of the printing-frame, substantially asdescribed.

13. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combinationof a suitablesupport,a lightsupporting frame provided with an electriclight fixture,a printing-frame carrier, said supporting-frame and carrier beingrelatively adjustable to and from each other along the support, aprinting-frame adapted to move on said carrier into and out of printingposition,an electric circuit leading from the lightfixture to saidcarrier, and means whereby upon the movement of said printing-frame intoand out of-printing position said circuit is closed and openedrespectively, substantially as described.

14. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitablesupport,a lightsupporting frame provided with an electriclight fixture,a printing-frame carrier, said supporting-frame and carrier beingrelatively adjustable to and from each other along the support, aprinting-frame adapted to swing on said carrier into and out of printingposi- ,tion,an electric circuit leading from the lightfixture to saidcarrier, and means whereby upon the movement of said printing-frame intoand out of printing position said circuit is closed and openedrespectively, substantially as described.

15. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitablesupport, a lightsupporting frame provided with an electriclight fixture,a printing-frame carrier, said supporting-frame and carrier beingrelatively adjustable to and from each other along the support, aprinting-frame adapted to swing vertically on said carrier into and outof printing position, an electric circuit leading from the light-fixtureto said carrier, and means whereby upon the movement of saidprinting-frame into and out of printing position said circuit is closedand opened respectively, substantially as described.

16. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitablesupport, a lightsupporting frame provided with an electriclight fixture,a printing-frame carrier, said supporting-frame and carrierbeingrelatively adjustable along said support to and from and also angularlywith relation to each other, a printing-frame adapted to move on saidcarrier into and out of printing position, an electric circuit leadingfrom the light-fixture to said carrier, and means whereby upon themovement of the printing-frame into and out of printing position saidcircuitis closed and opened respectively, substantially as described.

17. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitablesupport, a lightsupporting frame provided with an electriclight fixture,a printing-frame carrier, said supporting-frame and carrier beingrelatively adjustable along said support to and from and alsoangnlarlywith relation to each other, a printing-frame adapted to swingon said carrier into and out of printing position, an electric-lightcircuit leading from the lightfixture to said carrier, and means wherebyupon the movement of the printing-frame into and out of printingposition said circuit is closed and opened respectively, substan tiallyas described.

18. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of a suitablesupport, a lightsupporting frame provided with an electriclight fixture,a printing-frame carrier, said supporting-frame and carrier beingrelatively adj ustable along said support to and from and also angularlywith relation to each other, a printing-frame adapted to swingvertically on said carrier into and out of printing position, anelectric-light circuit leading from the light-fixture to said carrier,and means Whereby upon the movement of the printing-frame into and outof printing position said circuit is closed and opened respectively,substantially as described.

. 19. In a photographic-printing apparatus, the combination of support3, light-support- IIO ing frame 2, carrier 12, printing-frame 1 my handin the presence of two subscribing hinged thereto, electric lamp 8 onframe 2, witnesses. conductors 9, 1O connecting said lamp with carrier12, and contact 21 borne by frame 1 ARTHUR 5 and controlling saidconductors, snbstan-i Witnesses:

tiaily as described. J OHN A. GRAVES,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set A. A. V. BOURKE.

